Comments Off on This serene mobile cabin lets you roam as you like in the Bavarian forest

This tiny house in an idyllic valley at the foot of the Bavarian mountains takes full advantage of the incredible landscape. It’s fitted with wheels, so guests can rent the cabin and choose its location within the Wild-Berghof Buchet nature reserve – from an expansive green meadow near a pond to the park’s game reserve. The HYT mobile hotel room – which was designed by Architekten GbR – is just a mere 8 x 20 feet on the inside, but it can accommodate up to 5 people and has all of the basic needs for an amazing back-to-nature getaway. The park is located just outside of Deggendorf at the foothills of the lush green Bavarian forest. The tiny wooden cabin is clad in grey panels, paying homage to the many rural barns found in the Bavarian region. Designed to be a movable hotel room, the structure is located on wheels and can be transported by tractor according to the guests’ preferred destination. This allows visitors to the park to enjoy a variety of landscapes from a breathtaking green meadow to the park’s natural game reserve. Related: Escape Traveler is a tiny cabin on wheels that can be moved anywhere The interior of the cabin is bright white, which, along with the many windows, opens up the space to provide a calming retreat-like atmosphere. The living space is a mere 160 square feet but can sleep up to five people. Additionally, there is a small bathroom, a seating area, as well as a mini kitchen with a wood-burning stove. The cabin design is so beautiful that the mobile cabin was recently recognized as one of 15 outstanding projects among the German Design Award winners. + Architekten GbR Via Holiday Architecture Photography by Johannes Nagl and Hausfreunde via Architekten GbR

Comments Off on New green school in Kibera slum replaces original started by concerned Kenyan mothers

A group of concerned mothers started the Anwa primary school in Kibera, Kenya , where extremely disadvantaged children previously lacked access to education. Over time, the school has grown in attendance and needed a new facility that would replace the original 2-story ramshackle building. Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI) designed the new main building in close collaboration with the school community as a model for sustainable, context-based design. The architects used sustainably-sourced and certified timber framing, wattle and daub mud-walls on the ground floor and mabati (steel) sheeting on the first floor. This references traditional Kibera construction techniques while reflecting a connection with the local identity. Related: Mobile school “walking classrooms” are helping change lives in Kenya KDI carpentry trainees built the doors and windows using bamboo and timber. All materials used were locally-sourced, while the techniques and building methods were transferable to the local community. The next phase in the project will focus on creating a suitable access to the upper storey and a sustainable landscape for the school grounds. The design firm issued a statement: “At KDI, we co-design and build what we call Productive Public Spaces (PPS) – formerly underutilized, unsafe or polluted sites that are transformed into active, attractive community hubs.” + Kounkuey Design Initiative (KDI)

Comments Off on 6 ways you can help people affected by Tropical Storm Harvey

Tropical Storm Harvey is battering the Houston area, affecting over 6.8 million people . With so many people and pets displaced and suffering, you may be wondering how you can help. Whether you live close to the disaster area or on the other side of the world, here are a few great ways you can support people hit by the devastating storm . Donate to a food bank or another charity There are several charities out there you can support financially as they work to help Tropical Storm Harvey victims. Food banks can also use donations in the aftermath of Harvey. You can donate online to the Central Texas Food Bank . Or donate to the San Antonio Food Bank ; according to SBNation, some displaced Houston locals will be relocated to San Antonio. SBNation has a list of more local charities here . Related: INFOGRAPHIC: How social media can save lives in a disaster Donate to the Salvation Army The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services is on the ground to help out both first responders and locals. The organization is offering shelter at Salvation Army locations in the area, and as of earlier this week had served over 3,000 meals, drinks, and snacks via their mobile kitchens. You can help out right now by texting STORM to 51555 or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY. You can donate online here or send donations to The Salvation Army, PO Box 1959, Atlanta, GA 30301. Open up your home through Airbnb If you live in Texas and can share your space, Airbnb has a page for urgent accommodations in the wake of Harvey. They waive service fees for those impacted, and allow locals to list their homes so people can find a place to stay for free. You can find shelter or list your space here . Donate blood You can donate blood to help people affected by the crisis as well. South Texas Blood & Tissue Center has been calling for blood donations – you can get in touch with them at 210-731-5590. They also posted a list of locations to donate on their Facebook page, including addresses and donation hours. According to the post, Houston is asking for more than 2,000 units of blood from blood centers, so if you live in South Texas, consider finding a place to donate blood. Donate the use of your boat If you live in the area, you can help by volunteering the use of your boat. Get in touch with the Harris County Sheriff’s Office by calling 713-881-3100. Help rescue furry friends Let’s not forget the animals and pets impacted by the disaster. You can donate to the Houston SPCA , which is providing animal rescue and relief. Donate online here . Call 713-869-7722 if you need help. Austin Pets Alive! (APA!) is another Texas-based organization that’s been helping shelters in the path of Harvey to transport animals to APA! As of the weekend, they’d brought more than 235 animals to their facility. If you live in the Austin area, you can help by fostering animals or donating supplies like cat litter, leashes, or brooms. You can also donate online here . APA!’s address is 1156 West Cesar Chavez, Austin, TX 78703 and their phone number is 512-961-6519. Images via Harris County Sheriff’s Office Facebook , Salvation Army , Lars Plougmann on Flickr , Connect for Life Facebook , Austin Pets Alive! Facebook , National Guard Photo by Lt. Zachary West , and

Comments Off on Tiny Homie camper expands from roadworthy to camp-ready in a minute

Of all the tiny trailers in all the towns, this one rolled into our line of sight and won us over right away. The Homie represents the next-generation of miniature recreational vehicles , and it is designed to expand in camp in a very clever way. Rather than pushing out horizontally as many expanding RVs do, the Homie doubles in length when the outer shell is rotated back 90 degrees and fastened to the front inner shell. Click through the gallery to see how quickly and easily the trailer sets up, and for a closer look inside. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Yc_7XNjNk8 An only slightly beefed up version of its cousin, the bike-drawn Wide Path Camper, the Homie camper is still quite compact. When folded for travel, it measures just 58 inches wide, 57 inches long, and 39 inches wide. Parked and expanded, it it nearly doubles in length to 112 inches. With its towing equipment, the Homie weighs 440 lbs, which is fairly light for a vehicle of its size. Its clever expandable design means the Homie can go from road-worthy to camp-ready in about a minute, which the company demonstrates in the video embedded above. Related: Foldable Wide Path Camper is a whole different kind of bike trailer What this little Homie lacks in elbow room, it makes up for in amenities. The tiny trailer is outfitted with nearly all the basics the wanton traveler might need for a life on the road, including a dining table and seating area that convert to a cozy bed. An optional solar package turns the little rig into an off-grid basecamp, and buyers can select other add-ons to enhance their mobile adventures, too. The Homie is offered with bronze or grey window tints, and a “Lux” package with thicker cushions and matching trim. The trailer can even be ordered with kitchen tools, such as bowls and cutlery. Priced at $7,245, the Homie is for sale in the United States and Europe. Production and delivery are expected in 2018. + Wide Path Camper: Homie Via New Atlas Images via Wide Path Camper

Comments Off on M-KOPA hooks up Kenya’s off-grid residents with solar-powered TVs

In areas of the world lacking reliable grid power, access to information can also be spotty. Now, residents of Kenya can keep tabs on world news and entertainment with solar-powered digital flat screen TVs from M-KOPA Solar . The company launched a payment program earlier this year to help its customers do something they never dreamed of: own a TV. After two years of payments, they can own the flat screen as well as the solar power system that runs it, so they can enjoy hours of TV-watching without a monthly bill. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZjN62oFwsU M-KOPA is a pay-as-you-go solar provider based in Kenya. Based on survey results from the Kenya Audience Research Foundation 2015, the company realized that many of its customers don’t have access to TV on a daily basis. Sixty-nine percent of Kenya ’s adult population either don’t have electricity or cannot afford a TV set. A solar-powered flat screen is the perfect solution to help close the gap. Customers can make payments from their mobile phones and, after two years, they own the solar power system and the TV, so they can continue watching news and programming without further costs. Related: More than half of Kenya’s electricity will come from solar power by 2016 In order to broaden the reach of the program, M-KOPA leaned on its existing relationship with mobile provider Safaricom, which began in 2010. M-KOPA’s residential solar power systems, along with the solar-powered TVs, will be sold through Safaricom retail stores. This arrangement makes it possible to connect millions of people to sustainable solar power in areas underserved by (or not connected to) the grid, in addition to putting TVs in the homes of people who likely never thought they could afford one. “Owning a TV is life-changing for our off-grid customers,” M-KOPA CEO Jesse Moore said in a statement . “Many of them have traditionally had to pay to watch in a café or bar, or missed out on news and current events because they could not afford to be connected to information. We are now going beyond the grid to offer TV to homes all over Kenya. It’s great for the family to be able to watch together in the comfort and safety of their home.” Via Disrupt Africa Images via M-KOPA Solar

Comments Off on Nendo unveils stylish I beam-inspired rocking horses for Kartell

Prolific Japanese studio Nendo has unveiled their latest minimalist and stylish take on a traditional product: the rocking horse. Crafted from three curved pieces of transparent plastic, the H Rocking Horse references the steel I beams—also known as H beams—used in large structures like skyscrapers. The playful toy was created for Italian furniture brand Kartell and will be presented at the 2016 Salone del Mobile furniture fair in Milan. + Nendo The article above was submitted to us by an Inhabitat reader. Want to see your story on Inhabitat ? Send us a tip by following this link . Remember to follow our instructions carefully to boost your chances of being chosen for publishing!

You may soon be able to connect to the internet nothing more than a simple lamp. Li-Fi, or “light fidelity”, is a new wireless technology that just premiered at the Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest mobile tech fair – in Barcelona. French start-up Oledcomm says the new technology is 100 times faster than conventional Wi-Fi. Read the rest of New LED “Li-Fi” is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi

Comments Off on Envira Pod: Mobile net-zero classroom is powered entirely by solar

Probably one of the most incredible feelings in the world is the realization of an intention. The non-profit Something Good in the World and Enviragen recently completed Envira Pod, an off-grid, mobile classroom with a zero carbon footprint. Funded by a successful Indiegogo campaign, grants, and a local foundation, the eco-friendly educational trailer is located in its farm-based home north of New York City, as part of Something Good in the World’s Children’s Peaceful Garden, where it exists as a demonstration of available technologies for alternative energies and sustainable practices, in an eco-friendly, completely self-contained, off-grid environment. Read the rest of Envira Pod: Mobile net-zero classroom is powered entirely by solar